Thailand's
association of the deaf awarded world prize
The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand has been honourably
awarded a world prize for its recognized role in the development
of the deaf and its successful efforts in raising the public's
awareness on the significance of the sign language to amicably
integrate the deaf in political, economic and social activities
in the society. Mrs.
Poungkeo Kichtham, Manager of the Thai Disabled Development
Foundation, said in a statement released to TNA on Monday
that the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand was
announced to receive the Vittovrio Ieralla Memorial and Award
at the end of the 2003 general assembly of the World Federation
of the Deaf, held in Montreal of Canada on 18-19 July.
The two-day annual assembly
is part of the ongoing 14th World Congress of the World Federation
of the Deaf, scheduled on 18-26 July.
The announcement of the honourable
award came on a welcoming surprise of four Thai representatives--two
deaf and two interpreters--who attended the annual assembly,
said Mrs. Poungkeo.
The representatives include
Mr. Surasak Chittasettakul, Mr. Surachet
Lertdajaya, as well as Mrs. Poungkeo herself, who was the
sign language interpreter for Mr. Surasak, and Mrs. Kanya
Sae-Ong, who was the sign language interpreter for Mr. Surachet.
"We were very surprised
and excited upon being acknowledged the honourable award,
as we were not informed in advance", Mrs. Poungkeo said
in the statement.
The four Thai representatives
were graciously congratulated from their counterparts worldwide
on the honourable recognition, with those from many countries
seeking advices from the Thai delegates on how to attain the
similar achievement of Thailand, she
disclosed.
In particular, the Cambodian
delegation asked that the National Association of the Deaf
in Thailand help develop the sign language and the national
deaf association in Cambodia, after it had extended similar
assistance to Myanmar with successful results, said Mrs. Poungkeo.
The two Thai deaf representatives
said before the assembly that there were many parties behind
the success of the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand,
and extended their thankfulness to the parties concerned,
including deaf fellows nationwide, public and private agencies
and organizations, as well as local and international non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), for their continuing support.
Mr. Surasak and Mr. Surachet
extended their thankfulness specially to Japan's federation
of the deaf, and Sweden's association of the deaf.
The Thai representatives
will return home with the honourable prize for all Thais on
30 July, according to the statement. |
